Life Lessons in Music Class

The other day I had the opportunity to observe our Grade 8 students in music class during a mini-lesson involving the impromptu performance of an acapella avant-garde composition. This is a tall ask for anyone of any age, but our students didn’t miss a beat. This exchange stood out for me as they asked to reflect on their experience: 

Visiting Teacher: How did that feel? Was it a little weird?

Student 1: Oh, this is Nashoba Brooks. Most of us have been together since preschool. We do weird stuff all the time. 

Student 2: [With graceful redirect] Yes, we are comfortable taking risks together, because we trust each other. 

What a gift to work in a school where students enjoy taking health risks together, finding joy in trying something new, and knowing they can count on each other to support them as they do. This may not be what you remember from your own middle school experience, but this is what we do at Nashoba Brooks School every day. We believe that middle school can and should be an opportunity to dig deep, embrace new challenges, explore new ideas, and stretch. Sometimes leaning into something “a little weird” provides a new opportunity to stretch and grow. When was the last time you challenged yourself to take a risk? What will you do today to stretch and grow? Who do you count on to support you as you do?